Three sources said that the US has suspended payment of membership fees to the World Trade Organization as the Trump administration steps up efforts to cut government spending. The Trump administration is withdrawing institutions it sees as inconsistent with its “America First” economic policy, such as the World Health Organization, and cutting fees to other agencies. The WTO's 2024 annual budget is CHF 205 million, and according to a fee system proportional to its share in global trade, the US should have paid about 11% of it. According to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation, a US representative said at the March 4 budget meeting that US payments to the 2024 and 2025 WTO budgets will be suspended pending review of the membership fees of international organizations, and the WTO results will be notified on an undetermined date. A third trade source confirmed their claims and said the WTO is developing Plan B to prevent a prolonged suspension of funding.

Three sources said that as the Trump administration stepped up efforts to cut government spending, the US has suspended payment of membership fees to the World Trade Organization. The Trump administration is withdrawing institutions it sees as inconsistent with its “America First” economic policy, such as the World Health Organization, and cutting fees to other agencies. The WTO's 2024 annual budget is CHF 205 million, and according to a fee system proportional to its share in global trade, the US should have paid about 11% of it. According to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation, a US representative said at the March 4 budget meeting that US payments to the 2024 and 2025 WTO budgets will be suspended pending review of the membership fees of international organizations, and the WTO results will be notified on an undetermined date. A third trade source confirmed their claims and said the WTO is developing Plan B to prevent a prolonged suspension of funding.